Monday, Dec 26, 2005
By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter
Dubai: The penal code amendments announced on Saturday will further curb crime and enhance national security, lawyers said on Sunday.
A new law amending some provisions of the Federal Penal Code was issued by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to replace 62 articles in Federal Law No 3 of 1987. The new amendment has been ratified by the Supreme Council.
The amendments are "timely," Dr Rashid Bin Shabib of Bin Shabib and Associates told Gulf News, referring to the amendments in provisions regarding crimes against the state.
"The dangerous situation and state of instability in the region pushed the legislators to take such steps to strengthen national and internal security and provide safety to citizens and residents," he added.
The lawyer said he believes that the amendments have come at the right time and strive to further steer the country in the right direction in terms of stability.
Clauses of the penal code have been tightened and will further curb crimes, especially those involving national security and terrorism, Mahgoub Eisa Mahgoub, of Al Kabban Advocates and Legal Consultants, told Gulf News.
Dr Mohammad Al Rokn, of Busit, Al Rokn and Associates praised the new amendments, particularly those on money laundering and other crimes of state security. "These stringent steps will make it very difficult for money launderers to operate," he said.
He also noted that in cases of bounced cheques, the new law allows the two parties to settle the dispute even before a punishment is handed down. "What the amendments allow is a new and a smart thing to do."
Gulf News 2005. All rights reserved.
